Overview
North Carolina’s population is
growing at the sixth fastest rate in the country. By 2030, North Carolina’s population is expected to
exceed 12 million people. Unfortunately, the only thing growing faster than our
population is the number of cars on our roads.
Growth
could be a huge boon for the state, but we must take steps to ensure that our
growth doesn’t undermine our quality of life. In every major metropolitan area
in North Carolina,
congestion is a
serious problem. On top of the inconvenience, it forces consumers to spend more
money on gas and less time with their family and friends. But building more
roads, alone, is not the answer. Study after study shows that more highways just bring
more traffic. And with traffic comes air pollution; currently, half the state’s
residents live in areas that don’t meet basic federal health standards for smog
pollution.
We need to make
smart, long-term decisions so that our transportation infrastructure can
support the kind of the growth that will be a blessing for the state, not a
burden. Public transportation will provide new and current residents with choices—like
whether to drive to work or not. But with no transit alternatives, growth will
mean longer waits in traffic and more bad air days.
Our
state leads the South in our dedication to education, technology and
creativity. Now it’s time to put that innovation to use by developing
top-notch rail systems for our metropolitan areas.
Commuter rail is the kind of forward-looking solution
that North Carolina
needs to remain a great place to live.
